‘This Is It’ to be released on DVD in late January

December 1, 2009 at 12:00a.m.

NEW YORK — “Michael Jackson’s This Is It,” a film about the King of Pop’s final rehearsals before his death, will be released on DVD on Jan. 26, 2010. The DVD release was announced Monday by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

“This Is It” captures Jackson’s final performances as he rehearsed for his concerts in London. He died June 25, just weeks before his marathon of 50 concerts was to begin. The DVD includes two documentaries, “Staging the Return: Beyond the Show” and “Staging the Return: The Adventure Begins,” which highlight Jackson as he prepared for the concerts. The film has grossed more than $70 million in the United States.

Stars to turn out for tree-lighting ceremony

WASHINGTON — The carols around the National Christmas Tree are going to have some serious star power this year. Entertainers Sheryl Crow and Common are scheduled to perform at the tree-lighting ceremony Thursday near the National Mall. Singers Jordin Sparks, Ray LaMontagne and Celtic Woman, and jazz musicians Brad Mehldau and Joshua Redman also will join the stage.

White House spokesman Robert Gibbs says President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama will help light the tree between the White House and the Washington Monument.

Hasselhoff’s ex-wife charged with DUI

LOS ANGELES — David Hasselhoff’s ex-wife has been arrested on suspicion of drunken driving in Los Angeles. The California Highway Patrol said Sunday that Pamela Bach was pulled over Saturday night just south of U.S. 101 on Laurel Canyon Boulevard. She was booked at the LAPD’s Van Nuys jail and released. The patrol says Bach showed blood-alcohol levels of .14 and .13 on a breathalyzer test. California’s legal limit is .08.

Bach was married to Hasselhoff for 16 years until he filed for divorce in 2006. She appeared as a cafe owner in several episodes of Hasselhoff’s series, “Baywatch.”

hPolanski remains in jail

GSTAAD, Switzerland — Roman Polanski remained in jail Monday, despite visits from his lawyer and a French diplomat, and it was unclear if the director had met Switzerland’s demand of a full bail payment of $4.5 million to be released.

The Swiss Justice Ministry declined to say what guarantees Polanski needed to give to be transferred from the jail near Zurich to house arrest at his chalet in the luxury resort of Gstaad. In addition to bail, the 76-year-old filmmaker must surrender his identity papers and be fitted with an electronic monitoring bracelet. He would not be allowed to leave his property as he awaits a decision on whether he will be extradited to the U.S. for having sex in 1977 with a 13-year-old girl.

Today’s birthdays

Actor-director Woody Allen is 74. Singer Dianne Lennon of the Lennon Sisters is 70. Singer-guitarist Eric Bloom of Blue Oyster Cult is 65. Drummer John Densmore of The Doors is 65. Actress-singer Bette Midler is 64. Singer Gilbert O’Sullivan is 63. Actor Treat Williams is 58. Country singer Kim Richey is 53. Actress Charlene Tilton is 51. Actor Nestor Carbonell (“Lost,” “Suddenly Susan”) is 42. Comedian Sarah Silverman is 39. Guitarist Brad Delson of Linkin Park is 32. Actress Ashley Monique Clark (“The Hughleys”) is 21.